Accidents on R23 and R50 claim lives

The R23 claimed four lives on Easter Sunday. According to the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, an articulated truck and sedan were involved in a head-on collision on the R23 between Standerton and Perdekop.

All the deceased were occupants of the sedan. The truck driver escaped with minor injuries and was rushed to the nearest hospital.

The cause of the crash is not yet known, but the department said it can not rule out dangerous overtaking or possible reckless and negligent driving.

An investigation is underway. The Standerton Advertiser called the Perdekop Police on April 4 to find out the names of the deceased and if the SAPS had notified their families.

We left a message on their answering service. In another accident, Mandla Simphiwe Mashinini lost his life on the R50 on March 20.

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According to his fiancé, Nondumiso Mngomezulu, he left behind two children, Sangelo Dlamini (10) from a previous relationship and Thilasande Mngomezulu (one).

His fiancé said they both worked for SANRAL and left work early on March 20. Mandla went to fetch a friend in his Corsa in Kosmospark, and she stayed behind.

“A truck driver was travelling to Earlybird while the driver of a Ranger and the deceased drove towards Pick n Pay,” Nondumiso said.

The driver of the Ranger allegedly tried to overtake and bumped the Corsa from behind, pushing it towards the truck.

Nondumiso and Mandla were to get married in October.

Meanwhile, she has contacted the Independent Police Investigative Directorate in Mbombela (Nelspruit).

According to the communications officer of the Standerton SAPS, Captain Gibi Mtshweni, they have made no arrests yet.

“The case is under investigation,” she said.